It’s rodeo season in Fort Worth, and the entire city is dripping in Western wear. Cowboy boots, pearl snaps, and belt buckles are all part of the getup, but cowboy hats add a touch of personality, as they can be shaped and customized to fit each owner’s style. Finish it off with a hat band, personal brand, feather, or hat charm, and you’ve got a custom cowboy hat that’s all yours. Below are our favorite cowboy hat stores in Fort Worth to complete your rodeo look.
Best Hat Store
2739 North Main Street
Founded in 1996 in the Stockyards, the Best Hat Store has an inventory of 5,000 hats, with more than 100 felt styles. They exclusively sell hats from the American Hat Company, which is regarded as the best cowboy hat available. Shop from endless styles of straw and felt hats and have an on-site hat shaper shape yours just how you’d like.
Peters Brothers Hats
909 Houston Street
Family-owned and operated for more than 110 years, Peters Brothers Hats started in 1911 as a shoeshine shop in downtown Fort Worth. In 1933, the store moved to its current location and expanded into a full hat shop. Today, the store is run by the fifth generation of Peters family members and sells straw and felt varieties in Western styles, plus dress hats, bucket hats, and flat caps, all made from a mix of beaver, rabbit, and hare fur. Pro tip: the Shady Oak style is still a top seller today, made famous by Amon Carter Sr., the publisher of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, as he often gifted it to visiting celebs and dignitaries.
Fincher’s White Front
115 East Exchange Avenue
A full-fledged Western store, Fincher’s sells everything from Western tops and dresses to cowboy souvenirs, boots, jeans, and of course, cowboy hats. Straw and felt options are available, and you can get them shaped on-site. There are also hat bands available to add a bit of flair, and colorful felt options like teal and cobalt blue cowboy hats.
Jobes Hats
4200 South Freeway, Suite 1043
Master hatter Jobe Sanchez has been shaping hats for more than 20 years, working with rodeo stars and creating his own hat shapes at Jobes Hats. After choosing your hat shape, you can pick out your own hat accessories—patches, feathers, and even hat brands—to completely customize your lid. A variety of hat brands are available, including Charlie One Horse, American Hat Company, Stetson, and Rodeo King.
M.L. Leddy’s
2455 North Main Street
Known as a custom bootmaker in the Stockyards, M.L. Leddy’s has been a Fort Worth staple since 1941. With fourth-generation family members working in the business today, products include not only boots, but hand-tooled saddles, men’s and women’s fashion, belt buckles, and cowboy hats. Find a straw or felt hat of your choice, and a hat shaper here can crease and shape it to your liking. Leddy’s also sells lots of hat bands to complete the look.
Flea Style
128 E. Exchange Avenue, Suite 580
New to Mule Alley, this Dallas-founded vintage market offers an experiential hat bar if you’re looking to make an afternoon out of it. The hat bar offers a diverse selection of vintage, handmade, and one-of-a-kind accessories for cowboy hats, including “scarves, pins, bling, playing cards, vintage matchbooks, feathers, dried florals, and more!” Each guest also enjoys a complimentary Ranch Water from Lone River.
Tecovas
2341 N. Main Street
In the Stockyards, Tecovas sells cowboy hats for men and women and also offers hat burning and branding in-store, plus brim shaping, cleaning, and cutting—all complimentary when you purchase your hat there. You can also add on ribbons and a feather, which is a small fee. Tecovas also offers customers a free drink while they shop as part of their experience, creating an inviting experience for millinophiles.
Conclusion
Rodeo season is here, and Fort Worth is the perfect place to find the perfect cowboy hat. With so many options to choose from, you’re sure to find a hat that fits your style and personality. Whether you’re looking for a classic felt hat or a more unique straw hat, these stores have got you covered. So saddle up and get ready to ride into the sunset with your new favorite hat.
FAQs
Q: What is the best cowboy hat store in Fort Worth?
A: The Best Hat Store has an inventory of 5,000 hats and exclusively sells hats from the American Hat Company, which is regarded as the best cowboy hat available.
Q: Where can I find a custom bootmaker in Fort Worth?
A: M.L. Leddy’s has been a Fort Worth staple since 1941 and offers custom boots, hand-tooled saddles, men’s and women’s fashion, belt buckles, and cowboy hats.
Q: What is the difference between a felt hat and a straw hat?
A: Felt hats are made from wool or other fibers and are often more durable, while straw hats are made from plant fibers and can be more lightweight and breathable.
Q: Can I customize my cowboy hat?
A: Yes, many of the stores listed offer customization options, including hat shaping, hat bands, and accessories like feathers and patches.
Q: What is the best way to care for my cowboy hat?
A: It depends on the type of hat you have, but generally, it’s best to avoid exposing your hat to direct sunlight, use a hat rack or hat box to store it, and clean it gently with a soft cloth.
